Government Shutdown Crushes SNAP Benefits for 42 Million Americans

CLEVELAND 13 (WCTU) — More than 42 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are facing the very real possibility of losing access to food assistance beginning November 1 as the federal government shutdown stretches into its third week.

“This is going to impact millions and millions of vulnerable families, of hungry families, that are not going to have access to these programs because of this shutdown,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, speaking about the urgency of the situation during a press briefing last week.

SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is the federal program that helps low-income individuals and families purchase groceries. The average benefit in 2024 was approximately $190 per month, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA has now warned that it is running out of funds to continue issuing those benefits due to the budget impasse in Congress.

A letter sent to state SNAP administrators on October 10 explained that states should not send out issuance files to benefit vendors, citing that "there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits." These files are essential for loading funds onto the Electronic Benefit Transfer cards used by SNAP recipients. Without them, millions could find their cards empty at the start of November.

This situation stems directly from the government shutdown, which began October 1 after lawmakers failed to pass a federal budget. The Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP, is among the many agencies unable to legally disburse funds while the shutdown continues. As a result, state governments are left scrambling for solutions with no clear guidance from Washington.

Some states have announced they will halt new enrollments in SNAP. Others are exploring the possibility of sending partial benefits in November or using state funds to bridge the gap temporarily, though reimbursement from the federal government remains uncertain. It remains unclear how many states will have the resources or political will to follow through with such stopgap measures.

Currently, SNAP serves about 12 percent of the U.S. population, with nearly one in eight Americans depending on it to meet their basic food needs. If benefits are disrupted, the consequences could ripple quickly across communities already experiencing financial strain and rising food costs.

Those who depend on SNAP are urged to visit their state’s SNAP websites immediately to check for updates on the status of November benefits. In addition, state agencies are encouraging beneficiaries to submit any required paperwork or renewal forms promptly to ensure they remain eligible when payments resume.

The Biden administration has said it will temporarily use tariff revenue to fund the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program, which supports another 7 million people. Whether a similar measure will be taken to salvage SNAP remains uncertain.

One state official noted, “We are legally unable to pay out benefits until a federal budget is passed. The Commonwealth cannot backfill these costs so SNAP benefits are on hold.”

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